With the coronavirus stats going in the right direction, all of us at C&G Newspapers look forward to resuming publication of the St. Clair Shores Sentinel and Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle on May 27th. All other C&G newspapers will begin publishing on June 10th (Advertiser-Times on June 24th). In the meantime, continue to find local news on our website and look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

Attention Readers: Find Us in Your Mailbox Soon

With the coronavirus stats going in the right direction, all of us at C&G Newspapers look forward to resuming publication of the St. Clair Shores Sentinel and Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle on May 27th. All other C&G newspapers will begin publishing on June 10th (Advertiser-Times on June 24th). In the meantime, continue to find local news on our website and look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

Warren Cousino junior defenseman Brandon Curtis, right, looks to gain possession of the ball during an April 9 win over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore. The Patriots are off to a 4-0 start after going winless in 2018.

Cousino lacrosse coach optimistic about new season

WARREN — The Warren Cousino lacrosse team is in its eighth season in the Macomb Area Conference, and coach Jess VanDerMaas is ready for the squad to contend.

“It’s time,” VanDerMaas said after a 13-1 April 9 win over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore.

VanDerMaas could be on to something.

At press time, the Patriots were 4-0 overall. The team went winless in 2018. This season, Cousino has outscored opponents 39-15.

VanDerMaas called senior leadership the main component driving the team. Cousino has six seniors on its roster: attack Aleksei Jarmolinski, long stick midfielder Jeffrey Roumpz, midfielders Moiz Aslam and Brendan Wolgast, and defensemen Zachary Harris and Justin Houle.

“They know their roles, and they’re confident in those roles,” VanDerMaas said. “They’re leading by example, in that they’re sharing the ball with the younger players and putting them in the best position to succeed.

“We’ve had a lot of players step up for us. Hopefully we can keep it up.”

The Patriots have had no trouble scoring thus far, but it’s the defense that’s led the way, VanDerMaas said.

Cousino players do a good job of keeping opposing teams away from the ball. Sophomore goalkeeper Donovan Cece has been strong in net.

VanDerMaas is hopeful that the early success will continue. He said he would like to see the squad compete for the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division title. The highest the Patriots have finished in the league is third — in 2015 and 2017.

St. Clair High won the MAC Blue in 2017 and 2018 and moved to the MAC White this spring. The MAC Blue comprises Cousino, Utica High, New Baltimore Anchor Bay, first-year team Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, Port Huron United and Warren Mott-Sterling Heights Unified.

“That’s our short-term goal. We feel we can be pretty competitive in the league,” VanDerMaas said. “Our long-term goal is to have some success in the state playoffs. That’s what we want to show up for.”

Cousino’s next game is against Chippewa Valley at 6 p.m. April 18 on the road.